Melania Trump dresses in gray and gets a friendly greeting from country star Garth Brooks at Rosalynn Carter's funeral: former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton all dress in black to say goodbye to their predecessor

Melania Trump thanked country star Garth Brooks for performing at Rosalynn Carter's funeral as the five surviving members of the first lady sisterhood were front and center at the ceremony.

Mrs Trump wore a gray tweed coat with black gloves and shoes while Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and current first lady Jill Biden donned all black.

After the ceremony Brooks, who sang a rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine,' kissed Mrs Obama, Mrs Clinton and Mrs Trump on the cheek.

The service saw the former first ladies temporarily burying any differences and sitting side-by-side to remember one of their exclusive club.

In perhaps the starkest example of unity Mrs Trump and Mrs Obama sat next to each other, inches apart, disregarding the enmity engendered by their husbands' presidencies.

It was a rare public appearance by Mrs Trump, who has remained out of of the limelight as her husband pursues a third tilt at the White House.

She was first to walk into Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, taking a seat on the end of the front row next to the aisle.

Mrs Trump was followed by Mrs Obama, Mrs Bush and Mrs Clinton as they took seats in that order.

Jill Biden, the current first lady, was separated from the other four by Bill Clinton.

All five women remained poised throughout the ceremony, listening to tributes to their predecessor and studying their service sheets. 

There appeared to be no interaction between them during the service.

Rosalynn Carter's grandson Jason Carter praised them for paying tribute.

'Thank you all for coming and acknowledging this remarkable sisterhood you share with my grandmother,' he said.

'And thank you all for your leadership you provided for our country and the world.'

Drawing laughter from the audience he added: 'Secretary Clinton and Dr Biden, we also welcome your lovely husbands.'

During the service Mrs Trump sat directly in front of Vice President Kamala Harris. 

The turnout of political luminaries - including all the living first ladies - showed the high regard in which they Rosalynn Carter.

She was  celebrated as an active first lady who championed then little-discussed issues of mental health.

Joe and Jill Biden flew from Washington early on Tuesday and gave the Clintons and Michelle Obama a lift on Air Force One, while Mrs Trump arrived separately.

Former presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama were invited but did not attend.

With Joe Biden and Donald Trump likely to face each other in a 2024 rematch of their bitter 2020 election battle even such a solemn occasion would have been scrutinized for signs of tension.

Former president George W. Bush also did not attend. 

One of the speakers, Judy Woodruff, a journalist who covered the Carter presidency, went along the front row naming the first ladies.

She said: 'Rosalynn Carter would be so pleased to see she brought all of you together on this day.'